Monday 24 February 2014 06.30 EST
First published on Monday 24 February 2014 06.30 EST

It's almost a given that young people in the UK are disillusioned with politics. In a world of choice and instant access to information, the murky, semi-translucent process of party politics that is plagued by lies, corruption and plastic promises is something most of us steer clear of. In the 2010 general election, only 44% of 18 to 24-year-olds voted; it was the lowest turnout of all age groups. New research from the Office for National Statistics shows that only 31% of those aged 16 to 24 are "fairly" or "very interested" in politics, and that we are the most apathetic in the EU.

My own reason for abstaining from voting is simply because there isn't a single candidate on the ballot form who represents my views. I'm 24 and I've already witnessed enough lies, war and abuses of power from the three main parties. I don't feel guilty about not voting. I'm not going to vote for the lesser of two or more evils in the hope that Labour will shaft my generation a little more softly than the Tories. Some of my peers would agree, others won't, but it seems a shame that the majority of my peer group are simply not interested in politics.

Consider the stark contrast in standpoints of the campaign group Bite the Ballot, set up by Michael Sani, which wants young people to vote no matter who the candidate is, or Russell Brand, who wants us to disengage entirely. I understand what Bite the Ballot is trying to achieve by getting young people to register to vote, but I disagree with its message.

I don't think we should be teaching young people to vote for the least worst option. Nor, on the other hand, do I believe in teaching young people to completely disengage with politics, hoping for some nondescript revolution brought about by Brand. Instead we should be encouraging young people to form new political groups and providing assistance for them to do so.

Across the world, young startups are changing the way business works and subverting the powers of industry, from fundraising to healthcare, music, marketing and beyond. New ideas and fresh ways of doing things are changing how business is done. With technological and social worlds moving so fast, why is it that politics is unable to follow suit? Much-needed political reform will not be brought in by the dinosaurs of today's politics – they stand only to maintain the status quo. In order for a more radical shift, we need new political parties with fresh ideas and approaches.

I don't believe in wasting time teaching people to engage in politics just by voting for candidates who are neither competent nor wish to honestly serve the best interests of the people. For a truly prosperous democracy we need more choice, more candidates and parties not tainted by the bad apples we have in our current political institutions. New politicians shouldn't be worried about which of the existing political boxes they fit into, since the current offering is less than inspiring. Instead of wondering what room there is to manoeuvre in the present minefield, we should be asking what we will do differently in the future.